Walmart ShippingPass Goes 2-Day To Test Amazon Prime Head On

This just in via WSJ Facebook Messenger Chatbot…

Walmart just announced it will test the “free” 2-day shipping subscription model of Amazon Prime with a $49 yearly fee to its ShippingPass (invite-only). The big-box giant said it will utilize regional shippers to keep costs in line. Walmart ShippingPass going to 2-day delivery is a direct move to compete with Amazon’s rapidly growing ecommerce network. A move some say may cost the big-box retailer.

The report mentions that Amazon has been sending roughly 7x the number of packages Walmart does in North America. Walmart ecommerce currently relies on 150+ distribution centers that serve the 8 e-commerce fulfillment centers and approx. 4,600 U.S. stores with 80+ stores set up as delivery hubs. The high delivery rate from Amazon helps them keep shipping costs down lower than competitors. See full story on Wall Street Journal.

Related stories: FedEx and eBay partner to create new Seller Drop-off Program. Sellers bring items worth at least $25 at one of more than 1,600 FedEx Office stores in the U.S. FedEx employees pack and ship the items to an eBay Valet processing center. eBay handles the listing, selling and shipping of any sold items. There is no upfront costs to sellers, but FedEx and eBay will share steep commissions on sales (20% to 40%). See full story at Consumerist.

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